Cataracts and Dry AMRD Flashcards
what is the main pathology of the lens of the eye
cataracts
what are cataracts
opacifications, such as scar tissue, within the lens of the eye
how common are cataracts
very common, causes of 50% of blindness worldwide
what is the most common cause of cataracts
age related cataracts, cumulative UVB damage and alteration in reparative mechanisms contribute to this
describe how age related cataracts occurs
the lens epithelium, like skin, matures and eventually cell contents replaced and nucleus disappears, cell outline is left and becomes fibre within the lens, in cataracts there is a degenerative change in this fibre that causes opacification
what are some other causes of cataracts
hypertension, smoking, post op/trauma, metabolic, genetic disorders, diabetes
describe how diabetes can result in cataracts
changes to the osmotic pressures and altering of fluid content in lens damages epithelial cells and fibres
what are some of the different types of cataracts
nuclear cataracts, posterior subcapsular cataracts, christmas tree cataract, congenital cataract
what symptoms are seen with cataracts
gradual vision loss, ‘hazy’ or ‘blurred’
what is involved in the management of cataracts and when would it be used
surgical removal with intra-ocular lens implant, only needed if patient symptomatic
what type of ARMD causes gradual and what type causes sudden visual loss
gradual = dry ARMD sudden = wet ARMD
what symptoms are associated with dry AMRD
gradual decline in vision, parts of vision ‘missing’(called scotoma)
what signs are associated with dry AMRD
drusen and atrophic patches of retina
what is drusen
build up of waste products below the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)
what is the treatment for dry AMRD
no cure
treatment supportive with low vision aids, such as magnifiers and social support
